Cris Coniglio, CGMP, PMP, CMP, DES
Cris Coniglio, PMP, CMP, DES, is a veteran Creative Producer and Project Manager with a 30-year career spanning large scale live events, animated shorts, trade shows and corporate project management. She began her career as a Stage Manager/Production Manager at Walt Disney World, then progressed into Production Managing/Producing animation shorts, themed entertainment, and eventually transitioned into the role of Creative Producer.
Cris currently thrives as a Senior Creative Producer at Freeman, driving project plans, milestones, deliverables, creative teams, and multimillion-dollar client projects, including large-scale conventions, trade shows, and live special events. Throughout her career, Cris has enjoyed managing the creative design teams for high-profile events such as the NATO Summit and the U.S. Presidential Inauguration Commander-in-Chief Ball. She has also led creative design teams for the Association of the United States Army, American Heart Association and BIO International portfolios.
Early in her career, Cris had the honor of working as one of the coordinators for the World Expo Parade in Korea, as well as the Opening and Closing ceremonies for the Invictus Games, which she found especially meaningful for the opportunity to connect with so many veterans.
Cris is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), and a Digital Event Strategist (DES). She is also a member of the Society of Government Meeting Planners.
Beyond her professional achievements, Cris is a competitive Powerlifter, earning nearly 30 gold medals over three years and competing in several competitions annually.
• Project Management Professional
• Certified Meeting Planner
• Digital Event Strategist
• Valencia College - AS
• NATO - Gold in Summit - 2025
• Society of Government Meeting Planners
• Project Management Institute - Florida Chapter
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to the early direction of my mentor, Gene Columbus, who started a leadership development program at Walt Disney World. His guidance inspired my approach to mentoring younger women in my current role, as I strive to pay forward the fostering of growth and confidence in those I work with.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I can give to leaders is to cultivate your individual team member’s strengths.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The best advice I could give young women is to always strive for integrity and maintain high standards, personally and in your work ethics.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face in this industry is time management. Balancing multiple large-scale projects, tight deadlines, and client expectations requires constant focus, organization, and prioritization to ensure every event meets the highest standards.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I place immense value on honesty, integrity, and caring in both my personal and professional life. These principles guide my interactions, decision-making, and the relationships I build with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders, shaping the way I approach every project.
Locations
Freeman Company
Orlando, FL 32819